Abstract

A thermal activated sub-hertz frequency dielectric absorption process in both SmC* and SmA* phases along with characteristic Goldstone mode have been observed in both pure and silver nano particle dopedliquid crystal mixtures. This process is well resolved, in particular, in the composites probably due to capturing of ions/charges inside the thiol group layer around the silver particles surface, thereby increasing the resistivity of the composites. The process is interpreted as space charge accumulation of ions/charges at the interface between liquid crystals and the cell polymer layer close to the electrodes. Improved switching characteristics and reduced spontaneous polarization have been detected.

Received 30 May 2011Accepted 29 January 2012Published online 17 February 2012

Acknowledgments:

The authors acknowledge financial support from International Bureau (IND/09/A12), allowing a research stay of P.K.M. at Darmstadt. W.H. is thankful to Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) for financial support. We are thankful to K. Rahimi for help during some measurements and Professor H. J. Kleebe and M. Mueller for HR TEM measurements.